Mark Urman's Paladin has acquired "Blood Done Sign My Name" for theaterical release in association with Real Folk Productions.

Veteran screenwriter Jeb Stuart directed the civil rights drama, based on Timothy Tyson's book of the same name.

The film, set in Oxford, N.C., in the 1970s, examines the racial upheaval -- and ensuing social change -- provoked by the acquittal of a white father and son accused of murdering a black man in public view.

Paladin will open the film nationwide on Feb. 19 in select engagements, to coincide with Black History Month.

The film stars Nate Parker, Rick Schroder, Michael Rooker, Lela Rochon, Afemo Omilami, Nick Searcy, Darrin Dewitt Henson and Gattlin Griffith.

Director Stuart is a North Carolina native whose father, a white Southern minister, lived through the events portrayed in the film. Stuart wrote the screenplay as well as producing the film with Mari Stuart, Mel Efros and Robert K. Steel.

Paladin's first release was "Disgrace," starring John Malkovich, which came out this fall. On Dec. 30, the distributor will open "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond," based on a previously unproduced screenplay by Tennessee Williams, starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Evans, Ellen Burstyn and Ann-Margret.